Mama Turkey and the Fox

This story is called Mama Turkey and the Fox by Abbie Phillips Walker. This is a LibraryCall adaptation and recording. Every night when the sun set, Mama Turkey took her chicks to the highest branch they could reach in an old apple tree. Once they were tucked in tight under her wings, she sang them to sleep with this lullaby: Close your eyes, my little turkey chicks; Hide your heads, and don't make a peep. Mama knows the hungry fox's tricks, And will keep you safe while you’re fast asleep.* Mama Turkey had told her babies all about the hungry fox that lived in a hole on the other side of the hill. They knew the fox loved to eat turkey chicks, so they listened to their mama and stayed right by her side. But like all young things, they were intensely curious. "What does the fox look like? I want to see him," said one chick, as his mother came to the end of her song. "How will I know it’s him?” "Oh, you will recognize him when you see him, my love," said Mama Turkey. "He has a long tail, a pointed nose, and the sharpest teeth you’ve ever seen!" Mama Turkey ruffled her wings at the very thought of him. "Will you wake us up if he comes tonight?" asked another chick. "I won’t need to wake you up," replied Mama Turkey. "If he comes, you will hear us talking. He will say nice things to me and seem quite polite. But cover your ears with your wings because he’s sneaky. His words cannot be trusted.” “Now,” said Mama Turkey, “it’s getting late. Try to get some sleep." She began to sing: Close your eyes, my little turkey chicks; Hide your heads, and don't make a peep. Mama knows the hungry fox's tricks, And will keep you safe while you’re fast asleep.* By the time Mama Turkey reached the end of her song, the sleepy chicks were snoring softly. Mama Turkey stretched out her wings, looked around in all directions to make sure they were safe, then settled herself down for a rest. The moon was shining brightly when she woke up with a start. Something had made a noise! She looked around and saw what appeared to be a large black dog walking slowly toward the apple tree. As the creature came closer, Mama Turkey could see that it had the bushy tail of a fox. She perched herself more firmly on the limb and checked to make sure her children were safe in their nest. She knew that the hungry fox was looking for something to eat for dinner, and she would not let him get near her chicks. "Good evening, Mr. Fox," Mama Turkey said as the fox came near enough to hear her. "I thought that was you I saw in the shadows. You certainly have a handsome silhouette in the moonlight." The fox was surprised to hear Mama Turkey call out to him, and he was especially surprised to receive a compliment from her. Turkeys were usually too afraid to speak to him at all. “It might be easier to get close to this turkey’s chicks,” thought the fox. He recovered from his surprise and said, "Why thank you, Mrs. Turkey. You yourself are a picture of beauty in the moonlight, sitting so stately on that tree branch. Can I make a recommendation? If you would like to truly enjoy this lovely evening, come down from the tree and take a walk over the hill. From there you will see the moon’s reflection sparkling in the pond." "I would love to see that," replied Mama Turkey, "but I can’t leave my children alone." "I would be happy to take care of the dear little chicks while you are gone," said sly Mr. Fox. “If you will have them come down and sit with me, I will tell them a bedtime story and keep them entertained until you return." By this time, the turkey chicks were awake and listening carefully to their Mama’s conversation with the fox. He seemed so kind and courteous that they forgot to be afraid of him. One of the chicks poked his beak into Mama Turkey’s feathers to get her attention. "Please let us go down and hear his bedtime story!" he said. "You see, my dear madam," said the fox, "your children would be happy to stay with me. Do go and enjoy the moonlight." Mama Turkey turned to her chicks and gave them a look that clearly said, "Be quiet.” Then she said to the fox, "I appreciate your generous offer. If my children were feeling better, I would consider it. But they have been sick, so they have gotten bony and weak. I must make sure they get plenty of sleep and eat well." When the fox heard that the chicks were bony, he was disappointed. He had been looking forward to a dinner of plump chicks. He decided to try and eat Mama Turkey for his dinner instead. So he said, "You must be very worried, Mrs.Turkey. I know just the thing to feed your chicks to bring them back to health. Why don’t you come down here so I can whisper it to you?" "If he cannot get the chicks he will try to catch me," thought Mama Turkey. But she was smarter than the hungry fox. She decided to set a trap. She said, "Before I come down, please walk around a little so my children can see what a beautiful bushy tail you have, Mr. Fox. They have never seen such a good-looking tail." The fox was very proud of his tail, so he walked back and forth under the tree, fluffing his tail like a peacock. "Tell him how wonderful his tail is," whispered Mama Turkey to her chicks. "Oh, what a wonderful tail!" the babies exclaimed. "I wish we had such bushy tails, instead of these straight feathers.” They oohed and ahhed. By this time, the fox was so pleased with their admiration that he was ready to do just about anything they asked. Mama Turkey said, "I wish you would show the chicks how well you can run and jump. Can you jump up and land on top of that wooden barrel?" Mama Turkey knew that the barrel had no lid and that it was nearly full of water. The fox was happy to show off his skills. Away he ran with all his might. When he got close to the barrel, he leapt into the air… and splash! Down he fell into the barrel of water. He tried to get out, but it was no use; the sides of the barrel were too high. The little turkeys sat wide-eyed beside their mother. The fox was gone, and Mama Turkey began to sing. Close your eyes, my little turkey chicks; Hide your heads, and don't make a peep. Mama knows the hungry fox's tricks, And will keep you safe while you’re fast asleep. And in a few minutes, all was quiet again. This has been Mama Turkey and the Fox by Abbie Phillips Walker. This has been a LibraryCall adaptation and recording.